I have a question about cleaning alps switches as well.
I managed to snag two AEK's with Orange Alps off eBay; one super nice and clean and the other, which I plan to use with an Alps64 PCB, is really dirty. Not sure if the user who sold me the clean one also cleaned the switches or just barely ever use it, but the switches feel like they're in pristine condition. Although, both of these being my first alps boards, I don't know what that feels like. The dirtier one feels super scratchy and nasty.
I have an ultrasonic cleaner and I have desoldered most of the switches already (some of them have pins bent onto the PCB which makes it a pain in the ass to remove) so I am getting ready to cleaning them.
As I understand it, you should clean the bottom housing, the top housing, the sliders & springs.
To the questions now: Is it safe to clean the bottom housing with the contact leaf still inside? The one that is connected to the two pins. Some of the pins have excess solder on them preventing them from coming out. I know this is easy to remedy but just wanted to ask if it was okay/recommended to throw those in the cleaner as well.
Also, is it recommended/okay to throw the tactile leaf into the cleaner as well?